Operational Risk & Controls Assurance Senior Officer

St. James's Place; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in Cirencester is seeking an Operational Risk & Controls Assurance Senior Officer. This role involves risk management, training colleagues, and developing the operational risk framework. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in operational risk roles within financial services and strong interpersonal skills. Benefits include a competitive salary and flexible work options.

Benefits

Discretionary annual bonus

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical insurance

10% non-contributory pension

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a second line operational risk role within financial services.
• Strong understanding of operational risk frameworks and controls assurance.
• Experience conducting operational risk assessments, control testing, and incident management.

Responsibilities

• Lead on embedding and maintaining the Operational Risk and Controls Framework.
• Develop and deliver training on operational risk and controls for colleagues.
• Identify, assess and monitor operational risks across the business.

Skills

Operational risk management

Risk assessment

Controls assurance

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Education

Professional qualification in risk management

Job description

Operational Risk & Controls Assurance Senior Officer

Are you ready tochart your own career path? At SJP we need talented individuals like yourselfto support our evolving culture. If you're seeking an employer that ispassionate about excellence, innovation and autonomy, SJP could be the placefor you.

At a glance:

Location: Cirencester Office

Workplace Type:

Employment Type: Permanent

Seniority: Mid-Senior Level

What you'll be doing:

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Operational Risk & Controls Assurance team as a senior officer within SJP's second line of defence. The role focuses on operational risk management and assurance across the business and our international entities, supporting the Head of Operational Risk & Controls Assurance. You will play a key role in developing, embedding and overseeing the operational risk framework, supporting the ongoing evolution of risk management practices across SJP.
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on embedding and maintaining the Operational Risk and Controls Framework, including risk appetite and PRC taxonomy.
• Develop and deliver training on operational risk and controls for colleagues across the Group.
• Identify, assess and monitor operational risks, coordinating with business areas to maintain robust risk and control registers.
• Provide subject matter expertise in operational risk assessments, scenarios and control assurance activities.
• Deliver independent control testing and validation, working closely with Internal Audit and other risk and control functions.
• Act as a key business risk partner, especially to the People Directorate, and provide technical support to Legal and Audit.
• Lead and support the development of KRIs and KCIs and oversee issue and incident (event) management practices.
• Mentor and support junior risk officers and promote an embedded risk culture.

Who we're looking for:

We're seeking a credible operational risk professional with a deep understanding of risk frameworks and the ability to partner effectively with the business. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, analytical, and experienced in providing independent challenge and oversight in a fast-paced, regulated environment. A strong communicator with the ability to influence and support risk maturity across the organisation will thrive in this role.
Skills & Experience:

Essential:

• Significant experience in a second line operational risk role within financial services.
• Strong understanding of operational risk frameworks and controls assurance.
• Experience conducting operational risk assessments, control testing, and incident management.
• Ability to deliver practical training and guidance to stakeholders across different levels.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven ability to work cross-functionally and build trusted relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• A recognised professional qualification in risk management (e.g. IRM, PRMIA, etc.).
• A digital-first or automation mindset in relation to risk and controls.

What's in it for you?

We reward youfor the work you do,whether that's through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects bothpersonal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 daysplus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), oronline rewards platform with a variety of discounts.
We also havebenefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:

• Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
• Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
• 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable AdjustmentsWe're an equalopportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessibleand inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stageplease let us know by emailing us at [e-mail]
Research tells usthat applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put offfrom applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been onan extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role andcan demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless ofwhether you tick every box.

What's next?

If you're excitedabout this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're lookingfor, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking'apply' below and our team will be in touch.
As a businessregulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with theconduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to aninterview with SJP.

• Highly competitive salary and flexible benefits
• Highly competitive salary and flexible benefits
• Highly competitive salary and flexible benefits
• Highly competitive salary and flexible benefits
• Highly competitive salary and flexible benefits
• Highly competitive salary and flexible benefits